For generously topped toast, look for a multigrain loaf where you can check the thickness of the slices: words such as ‘hearty’ and ‘pre-sliced’ don’t confirm how thick they are. If you’re also keeping an eye on fibre, check whether the bread is wholemeal and compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Always check the salt and allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying.
If you like topping your bread with egg, avocado, cheese or hummus, check the slice itself rather than relying on the product name. For packaged bread, look at the picture or packaging; in store, check how it has been sliced.
If you eat multigrain bread regularly for breakfast, compare the ‘wholemeal’ label and the fibre content per 100 g. The word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.
Check the allergen information for the exact variety of bread, even if you’ve bought a similar loaf before. If you’re choosing a gluten-free option, check the other ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings too.
If generous toppings are your main reason for looking for thicker bread, start by checking the slice. Then compare the wholemeal labelling and nutritional information, and choose a loaf size that suits your breakfast routine.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and texture | Look at the cut face or the slices, and check for product-specific information about how the loaf is sliced. ‘Hearty’ on its own doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. | If I’m adding generous toppings, I want to see whether the slice is thick enough for my breakfast. For around 42% of consumers, slice thickness is the top priority. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre and salt on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If I eat this bread regularly, I want to be able to compare whether it’s wholemeal and its nutritional value. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Size and availability | Compare half and whole loaves, and check whether your chosen variety is available in store, for delivery or for collection. | For weekday mornings, the loaf needs to suit what my household gets through and the way I shop. This practical consideration matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that a bread is made with at least three different types of grain. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s wholemeal.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging or in the product description, and compare the fibre content per 100 g if the information is available for both loaves.
A hearty type of bread or a pre-sliced hearth loaf won’t necessarily have the thick slices you’re looking for to pile on generous toppings.
Check the slices themselves or see whether the packaging states how the loaf is sliced before you choose.
Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH OerDesem donker meergranen, but that ingredient information doesn’t automatically apply to other breads.
Read the ingredients list for packaged bread, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t give you a complete list of allergens. A gluten-free variety may also contain other allergens or carry a ‘may contain’ warning.
Check the allergen information for the exact variety you want to buy.
These examples can help you find multigrain bread. Always check the slice thickness and labelling for the product you choose.
AH OerDesem donker meergranen is a sliced, whole wholemeal multigrain sourdough loaf with product-specific nutritional information.
Jumbo’s range includes Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and a loaf called Stevig Meergranen.
Lidl describes its multigrain bread as hearty and made with a mix of grains and seeds.
ALDI lists both Boeren volkoren meergranen half brood and a pre-sliced luxe vloerbrood meergranen.
PLUS’s multigrain range includes Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit and Brood van Soma Haverkorn meergranenbrood.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen as a half loaf for breakfast or lunch.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three different types of grain have been used. If you specifically want wholemeal bread, look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging or in the product description.
No. ‘Hearty’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. For generous toppings, check the slices themselves or look for product-specific information about how the loaf is sliced.
You can’t tell from the type of bread alone. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in one AH OerDesem variety; for other breads, check the ingredients list or ask which salt has been used if the bread is unpackaged.
Yes, but check both the slice thickness and the allergens for the specific product. Holland & Barrett describes Schär Meisterbäckers Mehrkorn as gluten-free and pre-sliced into thick, soft slices; the product information also lists soya and possible traces of other allergens.
You can, as long as the storage instructions for your chosen bread allow it. For AH OerDesem donker meergranen, Albert Heijn says you can freeze it at home on the day of purchase and use it within one month. Check the packaging for other varieties.
